Fatimid Ceramic Fragment from the Sabra Palace, 10-11th century

p7, The Moors - The Islamic West - 7th-15th Centuries AD by David Nicolle:
The stylistic similarities between this decorated ceramic fragment from the ruined palace at Sabra in Tunisia and the wall decoration from Madina al-Zahra are obvious.
It dates from the 10th or 11th century. The horseman is bare-headed, has a long spear and small round shield,
while parallels between his costume and that of more realistic pictures from 10th-century Iran suggest that he wears a short lamellar cuirass and baggy riding breeches.
Though the cross-hatching on his horse might be merely decorative, it seems likely to represent horse armour, perhaps of quilted or felt construction.
(Benaki Museum, inv.11762, Athens, Greece; author's photograph)